Matovic: Krajci's and Kratky's Votes a Betrayal

Bratislava, 26 September (TASR) – Leader of 'Slovakia' party Igor Matovic described the votes cast by Marek Krajci and Rastislav Kratky (both 'Slovakia'-For the People-Christian Union alliance) in favour of the constitutional amendment as a betrayal. Matovic made the statement to journalists in Parliament after the vote in which the two MPs supported the proposal, which was passed with 90 votes. "We consider this to be a betrayal regarding an extremely serious matter by our own MPs, about which we found out just minutes before the vote. We don't see this as a mature approach," declared Matovic. He added that the situation will be discussed within the parliamentary caucus and announced a upcoming press conference on the matter. Matovic also noted that the conservative political space was shaken by the fact that MPs from Progressive Slovakia supported a proposal to abolish the public holiday on 15 September as part of the consolidation plan. "Krajci and Kratky also took this very seriously into account, so that probably contributed significantly," he added. Chair of 'For the People' Veronika Remisova pointed out that her party had a consistent position on the constitutional amendment. "The constitutional change was not a matter of values, but Fico's attempt to deceive Christians, to cover up the consolidation process, and to divide society and the opposition," she said. On Friday, Parliament approved the government's amendment to the Slovak Constitution. The amendment enshrines the existence of only two genders – male and female – and guarantees equal pay for men and women for the same work. It also introduces constitutional regulations regarding child adoption and the educational process. In addition to coalition MPs, opposition MPs from the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) also supported the amendment, except for Frantisek Majersky and Frantisek Miklosko, who did not vote. Three MPs from the 'Slovakia', For the People, Christian Union parliamentary caucus also voted in favour, including Richard Vasecka, who had announced his support in advance, along with Marek Krajci and Rastislav Kratky. Among coalition MPs, Jan Ferencak (Voice-SD) did not support the proposal, as he was absent. mf/df